Titans Finalize 2013-14 Men's Basketball Schedule

FULLERTON, Calif. -- First-year head men's basketball coach Dedrique Taylor announced, Friday, a challenging slate of 31 games for his debut season at Cal State Fullerton, including a possible nine contests against schools that saw some sort of postseason action a year ago.

"We have been able to put together a schedule that will challenge our ball club early with some very good opponents both at home and on the road," Taylor said. "Our schedule is highlighted by The Wooden Legacy that will not only test us, but give our fans a chance to see some highly competitive programs with NCAA experience early in the season.

"I am excited about our schedule and looking forward to each game as we prepare to make a run at the Big West Conference title."

The schedule includes a Thanksgiving weekend full of action as the Titans host the first two days of the inaugural Wooden Legacy event at Titan Gym, featuring Arizona State, Charleston, Creighton, George Washington, Marquette, Miami, and San Diego State alongside host Fullerton. Creighton (3rd Round), San Diego State (3rd Round), Miami ("Sweet 16"), and Marquette ("Elite 8") were all NCAA Tournament teams from 2013, Arizona State reached the second round of the Postseason NIT, while Charleston participated in the College Basketball Invitational.

Following an exhibition against Redlands on Nov. 2, the Titans officially open the "Taylor Era" with four of their first five away from home, beginning with a pair of games at Montana State (Nov. 9) and the first of a home-and-home at Seattle (Nov. 13) before the hometown faithful get their first in-person look on Nov. 16 with the home opener against Santa Clara at 3 p.m. as part of a triple-header with women's basketball (vs. Fresno State at 12 p.m.) and women's volleyball (vs. Long Beach State at 7:30 p.m.).

Road games at local rival USC and at San Jose State follow before Cal State Fullerton welcomes the ESPN family of networks for the inaugural Wooden Legacy. The Titans will host the first eight games (four per day) on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 before the event moves to the Honda Center for the final four games on Dec. 1. Fullerton opens on Thanksgiving against Marquette, an "Elite Eight" squad from a season ago, before facing either Miami or George Washington on Friday.

Following the Wooden Legacy, the Titans face Pepperdine on the road (Dec. 4) before hosting three games before Christmas against Seattle (Dec. 7), Texas Southern (Dec. 15), and Sacramento State (Dec. 21). Fullerton will then face UNLV (Dec. 28) and Tulsa (Jan. 4) on the road around the New Year holiday to close out non-conference play and prepare for its Big West Conference opener against UC Riverside on Jan. 9 at Titan Gym.

The Big West Tournament opens on March 13 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., with the championship contested on Mar. 15.